From February 25 to 27, 2026, a regional workshop on responding to Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies (GBViE) was held in Astana, Republic of Kazakhstan. The event, organized by UNFPA with the support of the UK Government, was attended by representatives of relevant ministries and departments of Turkmenistan. The delegation included specialists from the Ministries of Defense, Health and Medical Industry, Internal Affairs, and the National Red Crescent Society of Turkmenistan.
The primary objective of the workshop was to explore issues related to the prevention of GBV during emergencies and to strengthen coordination and emergency preparedness, taking into account gender considerations while implementing minimum standards and emergency readiness measures.
Participants discussed the organization of the humanitarian architecture and cluster system during emergencies, the creation of safe spaces for women and girls, and the provision of mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS). They also focused on coordination and interagency response mechanisms to ensure the inclusive protection of the population, following the principle of “leaving no one behind”.
The workshop program also covered risk assessment methods, humanitarian coordination mechanisms, and the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA) in emergency situations. Special attention was paid to integrating these approaches into national preparedness and response plans.
Ms. Ana Araujo, International Specialist on Violence Against Women in Emergencies, emphasized that: “It is vital to establish referral systems for providing assistance to women survivors during peacetime, which will serve as the foundation for each country’s emergency response readiness. These systems allow for the timely, safe, and confidential referral of women and girls to existing high-quality interagency services and facilities.”
The workshop provided participants with an opportunity to exchange experiences and lessons learned with specialists from other Central Asian countries. The knowledge gained will help national partners improve internal protocols to ensure the safety and protection of the rights of women and girls in emergency situations. ///nCa, 27 February 2026 (in cooperation with UNFPA Turkmenistan)